Oh, grandma. Its not


    Even when its been ages since weve seen each other, Charlizees before your own grandma


    The Empress dowagers voice became muffled in sadness. Damian looked at her, unsure of what to do.


    But then.


    The Empress dowager smiled with glee.


    Gotcha! It was a joke.


    Grandma mama! You tricked me!


    Damian now red resentfully at his grandmother.


    Regardless, the Empress dowager didnt even bother to hide the fact she was dying ofughter.


    So how did it feel meeting Charlize again after so long?


    Itit felt terrific to see her again.


    Wait a minute, thats all? said the Empress dowager, expecting more.


    She blinked her eyes and added.


    If I were you, Id be pretty nervous right now.


    .why?


    Didnt it ever ur to you? How many beauties are there in the pce?


    The Empress dowager held her chin as she spoke frankly, her voice a bit serious.


    However, Charlize is the most beautiful among them all.


    Well, thats true but


    That alone is enough to win the hearts of men. Wouldnt you say so?


    After saying that, the Empress dowager examined Damians expression.


    Damians face became slightly hardened without him realizing it.


    Noticing that, the Empress dowagers lips twitched as she barely held back herughter.


    So thats it? Nothing more to say? She does well you know and shes favored by the Empress. I like her a lot too.


    Im aware of that.


    Then how can you know that and be soidback?


    The Empress dowager exined with a calm voice.


    Think of it from the perspective of the knights and servants.


    From their position


    Yes. Put yourself in their shoes. In their point of view, what would it be like to have a maid as their wife, someone as beautiful if not more so than her superiors?


    Damian clenched both hands that were resting on his knees.


    If he hadnt done that his calm and collected expression would have fallen apart.


    Apart from Damians often loud reactions, the Empress dowager remainedposed.


    HoweverCharlize is too young to get married. Hasnt she juste of age?


    Thats just your take on it. At least, Im quite sure many men are attracted to her.


    The Empress dowager shrugged her shoulders.


    Because shes already received date offers from many knights and servants.


    I-Is that true?!


    Damian inadvertently raised his voice.


    The Empress dowager nodded with a smile.


    Come on. Why would I lie to you?


    Charlize.was asked to go out with others.


    Damian had a defeated expression as if he had lost the empire.


    With a yful look on her face, the Empress dowager added fire to the already burning house that is Damians psyche.


    Among some of those offers were marriage offers if I remember correctly.


    Wait, shes getting married?!


    Damian stared at his grandmother with a startled look.


    Calm down. No. I said she received offers, not epted.


    Ah


    Still, if you make a mistake, you might not see her again.


    What do you mean by that?


    Im saying by the time you return, Charlize may have already married and left the pce.


    Damians face hardened.


    The Empress dowager shook her head.


    Youre fortunate that the Empress loves her so much, every man ends up rejecting her or giving up in frustration due to the Empress.


    .Im d to h-hear that.


    Damian replied with a suppressed voice.


    The Empress dowager silently observed her grandsons expressions.


    He was usually a child who could deftly hide his emotions even when in front of the Emperor


    But when the topic of Charlize came up, all that was thrown out the window. His expressions were too visible.


    She could only wonder how deep his emotions ran for Charlize.


    After all..eight years is a long time.


    If his heart hasnt gotten over her despite that.


    The Empress dowager became a bit emotional.


    Damian, who drank all his lukewarm tea, suddenly got up from his seat.


    Then Ill be taking my leave.


    Why? Are you going to see Charlize?


    Thats right.


    Damian answered firmly.


    Despite the Empress dowagers yful gaze, underneath that, she was filled with affection for her grandson.


    When did he grow up to be like that? Bing a young man who could have a woman in his heart.


    Now that she thought about it, it was the first time she had a long conversation with Damian.


    From the time Damian was imprisonedits been eighteen years in total.


    The moment she recalled that her eyes became watery again.


    The number of years Damian lost because of the Emperor.


    The Empress dowager, who managed to contain her emotions, found it hard to speak.